Architect Wednesday Racing Tips

Lively Citizen was pulled up through no fault of his own last-time-out when the saddle slipped and, as much as we know that he’s got a good chance here, he’s always saved his best for the Cotswolds venue and preference is for LADYKILLER (best price 2-1) to make a mockery of his opening handicap debut mark here for David Pipe. The six-year-old showed an aptitude for his new handler when third on hurdles debut at Newbury and was smart when trained in Germany, which included victories in listed/Group 3 events and, with a lot more to offer, he’s fancied to take care of some useful opponents. 

A few to consider but COBRA DE MAI (best price 7-1) has been showing up well in mostly higher-grade events than this and has a really strong chance in this race off a two-pound lower mark than when second on his penultimate outing to a progressive individual. It is surprising he hasn’t won since early 2019 but he beat some very good horses when defying a mark of 142 and had earlier won over today’s course-and-distance off a mark of 139. His latest effort can be excused as he didn’t stay 3m3f but his previous second to the highly-progressive Saint Palais looks really strong, as he was conceding the winner a lot of weight, who subsequently won off 135 at Newbury. Judging that performance, alongside all his other top-class form, including when rated as high as 150, he’s entitled to be in the thick end of the action and could take some passing under Jack Quinlan here with the likelihood of getting a soft lead and with no other confirmed pace-setters amongst the line-up. 

ELECTRON BLEU (best price 10-3) makes a lot of appeal in the Next Meeting At leicesterraces Thursday 17th February Handicap Hurdle on stable debut for Fergal O’Brien. The eight-year-old remains winless in the UK but has made the frame six times off higher marks and this trip of 2m4f allied to the soft ground is definitely his optimism based upon previous evidence. He is likely to be ridden prominently here, which will suit at this track, and being down to a career-low mark with plenty in his favour, he gets the vote to make a bold effort on stable debut under Connor Brace. 

COOLDINE BOG (best price 7-1) showed some useful form in Ireland prior to an excellent second on debut for current connections when second at Musselburgh and could go well in this event with a bit more to offer. The nine-year-old is six-pounds lower in this sphere compared to his chase mark and has a good opportunity in this event off the same mark as last time. He shoulders top-weight but he’s the runner with the best form in the field and should be thereabouts under Max Kendrick.